Family Dog

[Nland85]

Thinking about getting a dog - young primary school age kids. Lucky that both of us work from home quite a bit so not concerned about it being left alone for too long.

What breeds would you look for? I’m thinking nothing too big - but husband also doesn’t want anything too small as wants to get out for decent length walks. Must be family friendly and trainable!

Cocker Spaniel? Labrador? Any thoughts?

Border terriers are fabulous family dogs, bred to run alongside horses so they have plenty of energy and stamina and absolutely love a long walk. Ours is a dream - great with kids and other animals, friendly with everyone and full of character.

Obviously smaller than a lab but the upside is that she eats less (and produces less 💩) and fits easily in our car and on sofas, and can easily be picked up and carried if necessary.

We adopted our Cockapoo and he’s lovely 🥰

Lurchers make the best family ddogs ime. Long walks/short zoomies. Fold up small. Don't eat huge amounts or shed much. Very robust health wise..
Ours live happily with dcats. And other ddogs. And small dc. Practically perfect in every way...

Pics for proof...
Only flaw is they love a cosy jumper and blanket...

Golden retriever all round good family dogs, leave lots of hairy tumbleweed on your floors though!

Cocker spaniel - very people oriented, lots of fun, love kids, a Velcro dog.

Golden retriever 😊 they are very hairy though...

Have you considered having a guide dog puppy? You get a go at being a "dog family" for a year as a trial run?

Giving the dog up after would be heartbreaking. They’re with you for approximately 16 months, to be socialised in various settings.

We’ve always had black Labrador retrievers, currently we also have our daughters two Frenchies. They’re lovely sociable dogs, want lots of cuddles, but very stubborn and not the easiest breed to train, unlike the lab.

Another fan of Border Terriers - they are little dogs with big personalities. They do need grooming but are easy to train and my research had them as a child friendly breed. I'm on my second and both have been brilliant family pets.

I grew up with having collies, first one was a bearded collie.

I don't think they are generally recommended as family pets but we must have been very lucky as they were a delight. Bright and trainable and a great size for kids etc.

Irish Setter. Best family dog ever. Gentle and loving

Another vote for border terriers. We have two and our kids adore them, fabulous dogs

I wouldn't get a cocker spaniel, they are extremely needy. And small doesn't mean they don't like long walks. I have a yorkie that will walk miles no problem.

My parents had border terriers, and I’ve had a lurcher. All lovely dogs.

Yes, greedy dogs are much easier to train!

Wouldn’t get a lab or spaniel unless you are very active because they are both high energy working type dogs. What about a staffie? Good with children and doesn’t need a massive amounts of exercise. Good family dogs imo.

I think a lot of dogs will get used to long walks if you take them on them. I know border terriers who are lazy little things and will lie down mid walk and refuse to move, but I also know one who will do miles and miles over hills all day and still need a walk after dinner! They're a nice size for small children as not to overwhelming if they jump up but be aware of their "terrier instinct" to wander off hunting when off the lead.
I'm surprised by the PP who said that lurchers like long walks, I always thought they were a short burst of energy and crash out sort of breed!

Yes, my lurcher hated long walks. A couple of high speed circuits of the garden, then a snooze on the sofa with her legs in the air was more her thing! I love long walks though, and if I suggested a walk she’d leap to feet, but when I qualified that saying it would be a looooong walk, she’d lie back down again!u

I once had to carry her for the last mile or so of a long walk as she refused to go any further. I think that particular walk was the last straw for her. Also, lurchers can be quite melodramatic!

Cocker spaniels are very active and 1000% needy and if you dont fulfil either requirement at all times without fail they will amuse themselves and you wont like what they find to do 😈

We had a beagle. She was a great family dog and loved to go on long walks, but she had to stop and sniff everything. We never covered a lot of ground!

Labrador - perfect family dog.

We have labradors but honestly they were a lot of work when they were young! They've settled into being lazy labs who snooze on the couch or on the carpet next to the desk most of the day, but it took a while. What about a failed guide dog puppy or a retired guide dog?

Have a read of Perthshire Gundog Rescue on Facebook. Carole has vast experience with cockers, retrievers and every other gundog. Do your research…

You need to work out which group of dog you want first whether that be a terrier, toy ,working or a hound so check out which group fits you best .